ABOUT UESPROGRESSIVES
UES Progressives is a chapter of NYPAN and Our Revolution in the Upper East Side of Manhattan working to build power and organize for progressive causes and candidates.
We are committed to advancing economic, racial, environmental, and social justice in our Community, City, and State.
We support the right to the basic necessities of life for all Americans, regardless of income, race, religion, gender, country of origin, or sexual orientation. That includes a decent job that pays a living wage, quality health care, a complete education, affordable housing, a clean environment, and secure retirement.
Directing public funds to remediate inequities is necessary, but it is not enough. Identifying and addressing systemic rules, laws, and traditions that have undermined access to basic necessities and disenfranchised many Americans is key. Active government participation is required to control the outsize influence of large institutions, level the playing field, and ensure basic human needs are met.
We are committed to these progressive values to guide our work.
UESPROGRESSIVES TEAM
Billy Freeland is a lawyer, Community Board member, and a former candidate for City Council in District 5. Billy’s legal work has included representing clients in housing rights, civil rights, voting rights, and asylum cases. Billy co-chaired Community Board 8’s Charter Revision Task Force and has been an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform and investments in making NYC a more bikeable, walkable, livable city. Billy lives in Yorkville on the Upper East Side.
Brian Mangan is a lawyer and a Queens native. He is formerly the Executive Vice President of the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, County Committee member, and Delegate Candidate to the Democratic Convention for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. Brian was one of the lead attorneys in the successful lawsuit against New York State to reinstate the 2020 Presidential Primary.
Chris Sosa served in the Democratic caucus of the New York State Senate as a communications director. He is a longtime political commentator and journalist. His nonprofit work has focused on the expansion of immigrant, refugee and low-income higher education opportunity. Chris lives in Yorkville on the Upper East Side and is a former candidate for New York City Council District 5.
Lewis Grupper is an activist for Union CWA Local 1101 Retiree Members Council. He served as a volunteer for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 Presidential Campaigns, and the Steering Committee of NY Labor for Bernie 2020. Additionally, he was a delegate for Grassroots Action to NYPAN 2017 and 2018.
Michael Lange is a political organizer who has worked in every corner of the city, from Southeast Queens to East Elmhurst to Central Brooklyn to the Upper East Side. He also writes about local politics as part of his Substack newsletter The Narrative Wars.
Rebecca Lamorte learned early on how deliberate, bold action can change people’s lives for the better. After a subway accident left her partially disabled in 2013, she saw an intimate portrait of how New York can work better for all communities, and was inspired to grow her involvement locally in efforts to make New York City a place where everyone can thrive. Rebecca lives on the Upper East Side and currently works as the Legislative & Communications Coordinator for the Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (GNY LECET), representing unionized construction workers and responsible contractors before New York City and State government.
Sarah Wilkins lives in Yorkville in the Upper East Side and has worked in New York City as a tenant and community organizer, social worker in the public schools and administrator in public higher education. She believes everybody is entitled to have a decent job at a living wage, quality health care, a complete education, affordable housing, a clean environment and a secure retirement.
Willa Hahn got her start in politics in kindergarten campaigning for Al Gore in her school’s mock election. Since then, she has become a passionate voter participation advocate and has been active in the progressive movement, working and volunteering for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Willa works in public relations and helps manage UES Progressives’ website and communications.